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San Diego  Angela Evans and her friend Natalie Martinez had been planning their Mexican Riviera cruise since January of last year, anticipating the glitz of a modern-day liner with all the luxe amenities it offers. What the two Michigan women could not have anticipated was that within less than 24 hours, toilets would be backed up and their staterooms would be pitch black.

"She had been so excited and looking forward to this for so long," said Greg Alexander, Evans' boyfriend from the Detroit area.

He said he became panicked about how she was faring once he learned about the powerless ship, until he finally heard from her by cell phone on Thursday. The tale she had to tell was not what he had expected to hear.

"She said the first day (after the engine room fire) was horrible.," Alexander said. "All the toilets were backing up, and she said it was worse than going in a porta potty. That lasted for several hours, but it was the first thing the ship's engineers fixed.

"The first day they had to wait in two-hour lines for food, and by the time she got to the front of the line, there was hardly anything left, just some bread, tomatoes, no meat on the sandwiches. It got better after the food drop from the Navy."

Evans, 36, said shortly after the fire, the ship smelled like burning rubber, but ultimately the odor dissipated. Because she and her friend are sharing an inside cabin, it was dark all the time because of the lack of electricity and not having a window to allow sunshine in.

Alexander said his girlfriend planned to return home on a flight Friday and in the meantime would be staying overnight at the Manchester Grand Hyatt, courtesy of Carnival.

"I really wanted to have her home sooner, but she says she really wants to get a hot shower. She told me she thinks Carnival is doing the right thing by giving them a free cruise."

He admitted he'd like to go on a cruise one day, perhaps with his girlfriend.

"Maybe we'll get engaged one day, and we can go together on the cruise."